Genesis 50: 7b-8 Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream. In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.
Dreams and visions are warnings, counsels and directions. Not all dreams echo the voice of God. Sometimes our sleep is disturbed by late night pizzas or indigestion. Researchers found that eating an unhealthy diet, high in processed food and carbohydrates can affect people’s deep sleep (also known as slow-wave sleep). It increases brain activity and body metabolism which can cause nightmares. Such disturbances call for a lifestyle change not an interpretation. However, if we remember a dream with all the details and the dream troubles our mind, it is important to seek the Lord in counsel. It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; But the glory of kings is to search out a matter (Proverbs 25:2). God speaks to us in parables, dreams and visions. He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds (Job 33:15).
The Pharaoh had two dreams and he woke up struggling to understand them. None of the Egyptian magicians and sorcerers could interpret the dream for him. In the first dream he saw seven fat cows and seven skinny cows. And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows (vs 4a). In the second dream he saw seven good and healthy grain heads growing from a single stalk. Then he saw seven thin and scorched grain heads. The thin grain heads swallowed the healthy grain heads. Pharaoh sent for Joseph who was reported to have the gift of interpretation and Joseph interpreted the dreams to the king. Joseph warned him about seven years of flourishing abundance and seven years of severe famine. Joseph counseled him to store a 5th of the grains during the years of abundance for the years of famine. Pharaoh was not only ecstatic about the interpretations of Joseph but also amazed at the wise counsel of Joseph. Joseph’s wisdom, values and virtues elevated him to the powerful position of the finance minister only second to the Pharaoh in Egypt.
Virtues, Values & Visions:
1. Signs: Signs are pictures that accentuate a message. The pictorial vision of the skinny cows devouring the fat cows was the sign that directed the actions of the kingdom. Take signs of warnings from the Lord seriously. Don’t ignore them or shelve them.
2. Symbols: Symbols are constant reminders about the counsel of the Lord. Picture postcards, vision boards, bands and bracelets are pointers to the right direction.
3. Significance: A dream or a vision that disturbs our mind comes as a direction to correct or direct us. Write them down. Pray and fast over them. Allow the Lord to interpret and conduct your course.
Seek the Lord for counsel to comprehend the dreams that have significance.
Genesis 41:16 “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer He desires.”
Prayer: Father God, let me not fret or forget significant dreams. May the signs and symbols direct my conduct. Amen.
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